Hippocampal BAIAP2 prevents chronic mild stress-induced depression-like behaviors in mice.

Background: The pathogenesis of depression is closely related to changes in hippocampal synaptic plasticity; however, the underlying mechanism is still unclear. Brain-specific angiogenesis inhibitor 1-associated protein 2 (BAIAP2), a postsynaptic scaffold protein in excitatory synapses important for synaptic plasticity, is highly expressed in the hippocampus and has been implicated in several psychiatric disorders. However, the role of BAIAP2 in depression remains poorly understood. Methods: In the present study, a mouse model of depression was established via exposure to chronic mild stress (CMS). An adeno-associated virus (AAV) vector expressing BAIAP2 was injected into the hippocampal brain region of mice and a BAIAP2 overexpression plasmid was transfected into HT22 cells to upregulate BAIAP2 expression. Depression- and anxiety-like behaviors and dendritic spine density were examined in mice using behavioral tests and Golgi staining, respectively. In vitro, hippocampal HT22 cells were treated with corticosterone (CORT) to simulate the stress state, and the effect of BAIAP2 on CORT-induced cell injury was explored. Reverse transcription-quantitative PCR and western blotting were employed to determine the expression levels of BAIAP2 and those of the synaptic plasticity-related proteins glutamate receptor ionotropic, AMPA 1 (GluA1), and synapsin 1 (SYN1). Results: Mice exposed to CMS exhibited depression- and anxiety-like behaviors accompanied by decreased levels of BAIAP2 in the hippocampus. In vitro, the overexpression of BAIAP2 increased the survival rate of CORT-treated HT22 cells and upregulated the expression of GluA1 and SYN1. Consistent with the in vitro data, the AAV-mediated overexpression of BAIAP2 in the hippocampus of mice significantly inhibited CMS-induced depression-like behavior, concomitant with increases in dendritic spine density and the expression of GluA1 and SYN1 in hippocampal regions. Conclusion: Our findings indicate that hippocampal BAIAP2 can prevent stress-induced depression-like behavior and may be a promising target for the treatment of depression or other stress-related diseases.

Hippocampal semaphorin 3B improves depression-like behaviours in mice by upregulating synaptic plasticity and inhibiting neuronal apoptosis.

Depression is a global health problem, and there is a pressing need for a better understanding of its pathogenesis. Semaphorin 3B (Sema 3B) is an important axon guidance molecule that is primarily expressed in neurons and contributes to synaptic plasticity. Our previous studies using a high-throughput microarray assay suggested that Sema 3B expression was tremendously decreased during the development of depression, but the specific role and mechanisms of Sema 3B in depression are still unknown. Herein, we report that levels of Sema 3B protein are decreased in the hippocampus and serum of chronic mild stress (CMS)-treated mice. Increasing the levels of Sema 3B, either by injecting AAV-Sema 3B into the hippocampus or by injecting recombinant Sema 3B protein into the lateral ventricles, alleviated CMS-induced depression-like behaviours and enhanced the resistance to acute stress by increasing dendritic spine density in hippocampal neurons. In contrast, interfering with the function of Sema 3B by injecting anti-Sema 3B antibody into the lateral ventricles decreased the resistance to acute stress. In vitro, corticosterone (CORT) treatment decreased the survival rate and protein levels of Sema 3B and synapse-associated proteins in HT22 cells. Overexpression of Sema 3B improved the decreased survival rate caused by CORT by inhibiting apoptosis and increasing levels of synaptic-associated proteins, and knockdown of Sema 3B reduces the cellular resistance to CORT and the levels of synapse-associated proteins. These findings represent the first evidence for the neuroprotective mechanism of Sema 3B against stresses, suggesting that Sema 3B could be a promising novel target for the prevention and treatment of depression.

Maternal exposure to triclosan during lactation alters social behaviors and the hippocampal ultrastructure in adult mouse offspring.

We recently reported that exposure to triclosan (TCS), a broad-spectrum antibacterial agent, affects social behaviors in adult mice, however, the long-lasting effects of TCS exposure during early life on social behaviors are still elusive. The present study aimed to investigate the long-lasting impacts of adding TCS to the maternal drinking water during lactation on the social behaviors of adult mouse offspring and to explore the potential mechanism underlying these effects. The behavioral results showed that TCS exposure decreased body weight, increased depression-like behavior and decreased social dominance in both male and female offspring, as well as increased anxiety-like behavior and bedding preference in female offspring. In addition, enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) indicated that TCS exposure increased peripheral proinflammatory cytokine levels, altered serum oxytocin (OT) levels, and downregulated the expression of postsynaptic density protein 95 (PSD-95) in the hippocampus. Morphological analysis by transmission electron microscopy (TEM) demonstrated that exposure to TCS induced morphological changes to synapses and neurons in the hippocampus of offspring. These findings suggested that TCS exposure during lactation contributed to abnormal social behaviors accompanied by increased peripheral inflammation and altered hippocampal neuroplasticity, which provides a deeper understanding of the effects of TCS exposure during early life on brain function and behavioral phenotypes.

Elevation of N-acetyltransferase 10 in hippocampal neurons mediates depression- and anxiety-like behaviors.

Major depressive disorder (MDD) is one of the most debilitating and severe mental diseases globally. Increasing evidence has shown that epigenetics is critical for understanding brain function and brain disorders, including MDD. N-acetyltransferase 10 (NAT10), acting on histones, mRNA and other substrates, has been reported to be involved in epigenetic events, including histone acetylation and mRNA modifications. NAT10 is highly expressed in the brain. However, the potential effects of NAT10 on MDD are still unknown. Here, we exploited chronic mild stress (CMS) to induce anxiety- and depression-like behaviors in mice and found that the expression of NAT10 in the mouse hippocampus was upregulated after CMS treatment. Inhibition of NAT10 by pharmacological methods produced anxiolytic- and antidepressant-like effects. Neuron-specific overexpression of NAT10 in the hippocampus resulted in anxiety- and depression-like behaviors, accompanied by higher SIRT1 protein levels, and lower dendritic spine densities. Overall, it was found that elevation of NAT10 in hippocampal neurons is involved in the occurrence of anxiety- and depression-like behaviors, suggesting that NAT10 could be a potential new target for developing anxiolytics and antidepressants.

Sulfur dioxide derivatives attenuates consolidation of contextual fear memory in mice.

Post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) is characterized by an enhancement of traumatic memory. Intervention strategies based on the different stages of memory have been shown to be effective in the prevention and control of PTSD. The endogenous gaseous molecule, sulfur dioxide (SO2), has been reported to significantly exert neuromodulatory effects; however, its regulation of learning and memory remains unestablished. This study aimed to investigate the effects of exogenous SO2 derivatives administration on the formation, consolidation, reconsolidation, retention, and expression of contextual fear memory. Behavioral results showed that both intraperitoneal injection (50 mg/kg, ip) and hippocampal infusion (5 µg/side) of SO2 derivatives (a mixture of sodium sulfite and sodium bisulfite, Na2SO3/NaHSO3, 3:1 M/M) significantly impaired consolidation but had no effect on reconsolidation and retention of contextual fear memory. These findings suggest that the attenuating effects of SO2 on the consolidation of fear memory involves, at least partially, the region of the hippocampus. The findings of this study provide direct evidence for the development of new strategies for PTSD prevention and treatment involving the use of gaseous SO2.

Effects of chronic triclosan exposure on social behaviors in adult mice.

Triclosan (TCS), a newly identified environmental endocrine disruptor (EED) in household products, has been reported to have toxic effects on animals and humans. The effects of TCS exposure on individual social behaviors and the potential underlying mechanisms are still unknown. This study investigated the behavioral effects of 42-day exposure to TCS (0, 50, 100 mg/kg) in drinking water using the open field test (OFT), social dominance test (SDT), social interaction test (SIT), and novel object recognition task (NOR). Using 16S rRNA sequencing analysis and transmission electron microscopy (TEM), we observed the effects of TCS exposure on the gut microbiota and ultrastructure of hippocampal neurons and synapses. Behavioral results showed that chronic TCS exposure reduced the social dominance of male and female mice. TCS exposure also reduced social interaction in male mice and impaired memory formation in female mice. Analysis of the gut microbiota showed that TCS exposure increased the relative abundance of the Proteobacteria and Actinobacteria phyla in female mice. Ultrastructural analysis revealed that TCS exposure induced ultrastructural damage to hippocampal neurons and synapses. These findings suggest that TCS exposure may affect social behaviors, which may be caused by altered gut microbiota and impaired plasticity of hippocampal neurons and synapses.

Continuous Lumbar Sympathetic Blockade Enhances the Effect of Lumbar Sympatholysis on Refractory Diabetic Neuropathy: A Randomized Controlled Trial.

INTRODUCTION: There are a number of options for the symptomatic treatment of peripheral neuropathy, but the overall treatment outcomes remain unsatisfactory. METHODS: A total of 60 patients with refractory diabetic neuropathy were randomly assigned to two groups. Patients in Group A were treated with computed tomography (CT)-guided sympathetic neurolysis with alcohol, and patients in Group B were treated with a combined therapy of CT-guided catheterization to achieve continuous lumbar block for 4 weeks followed by neurolysis with alcohol administered via the catheter. The outcomes of these two treatment strategies were then analyzed in terms of pain relief, blood flow in the lower limb microcirculation, plasma levels of inflammatory mediators, and complications. RESULTS: The visual analog scale (VAS) pain scores of all patients after treatment decreased significantly at the different evaluation time points compared with pre-treatment values, with the intergroup analysis revealing that the VAS scores were lower in Group B patients than in Group A patients at all post-treatment time points. Skin temperature, capillary filling time, and blood oxygen saturation level were significantly improved in all patients at the 1- and 7-day post-treatment assessment compared to pre-treatment values, but patients in Group B showed a greater improvement. The plasma levels of inflammatory mediators were lower in all patients at the 7-day post-treatment assessment compared to pre-treatment values, with those of patients in Group B being statistically significantly lower than those of patients in Group A. CONCLUSION: Combined treatment with continuous lumbar sympathetic block followed by neurolysis with alcohol provided more benefit in all assessed outcomes than sympathetic alcohol neurolysis alone. The results show that the procedures were associated with satisfactory safety outcomes and sustained analgesic effects, thereby providing clinical evidence supporting the use of this novel treatment for patients with painful diabetic neuropathy.

Role of the PI3K­mTOR autophagy pathway in nerve damage in rats with intermittent hypoxia­aggravated whole brain ischemia.

The present study aimed to compare the expression of phosphatidylinositol 3­kinase (PI3­K), mammalian target of rapamycin (mTOR) and Beclin­1 between the hippocampi of normal rats and intermittent ischemic rats following whole brain ischemia/reperfusion (I/R), and investigate the role of the PI3K­mTOR autophagy pathway in rat nerve damage following intermittent hypoxia (IH)­aggravated whole brain ischemia. A total of 80 male Wistar rats were divided by random number table into a sham operation group (SO group; 20 rats), pure cerebral ischemia/reperfusion group (I/R group; 20 rats), intermittent hypoxia for 7 days­I/R group (IH7+I/R group; 20 rats) and intermittent hypoxia for 21 days­IR group (IH21+I/R group; 20 rats). Prior to model establishment, the rats in the IH7+I/R group and IH21+I/R group underwent intermittent hypoxia for 7 and 21 days, respectively. The optimized Pulsinelli 4­vessel occlusion method was used to prepare the I/R model. H&E staining and transmission electron microscopy were performed to observe the morphological changes of nerve cells in the hippocampus. Immunohistochemical and reverse transcription­quantitative polymerase chain reaction (RT­qPCR) analyses were performed to detect the expression levels of PI3­K, mTOR and Beclin­1 in the hippocampal brain tissues of the rats. A Morris water maze test was used to assess rat learning and memory. The results showed that, compared with the SO group, the rats in the I/R group exhibited structural damage in neurons (shown by H&E staining), a reduced number of viable nerve cells, and decreased learning and memory ability at each time point. The results of the immunohistochemical analysis showed that the numbers of PI3­K, mTOR and Beclin­1 immunopositive cells were increased (P<0.05). The RT­qPCR analysis showed increased expression levels of PI3­K, mTOR and Beclin­1 (P<0.05). Compared with the I/R group, the rats in the IH­I/R groups exhibited aggravated structural damage in neurons, shown by H&E staining and electron microscopy. The number of viable nerve cells was decreased, and the rats exhibited decreased learning ability and memory. The immunohistochemical analysis revealed that the numbers of PI3­K, mTOR and Beclin­1 immunopositive cells were increased (P<0.05). The RT­qPCR analysis showed increased expression levels of PI3­K, mTOR and Beclin­1 (P<0.05). The above changes were more marked in the IH21+I/R group (P<0.05). Taken together, IH was shown to aggravate nerve damage following whole brain I/R. The underlying mechanism was associated with activation of the PI3K­mTOR­autophagy pathway and increased loss of nerve cells.

Propofol alleviates hypoxia-induced nerve injury in PC-12 cells by up-regulation of microRNA-153.

BACKGROUND: Although the neuroprotective role of propofol has been identified recently, the regulatory mechanism associated with microRNAs (miRNAs/miRs) in neuronal cells remains to be poorly understood. We aimed to explore the regulatory mechanism of propofol in hypoxia-injured rat pheochromocytoma (PC-12) cells. METHODS: PC-12 cells were exposed to hypoxia, and cell viability and apoptosis were assessed by CCK-8 assay and flow cytometry assay/Western blot analysis, respectively. Effects of propofol on hypoxia-injured cells were measured, and the expression of miR-153 was determined by stem-loop RT-PCR. After that, whether propofol affected PC-12 cells under hypoxia via miR-153 was verified, and the downstream protein of miR-153 as well as the involved signaling cascade was finally explored. RESULTS: Hypoxia-induced decrease of cell viability and increase of apoptosis were attenuated by propofol. Then, we found hypoxia exposure up-regulated miR-153 expression, and the level of miR-153 was further elevated by propofol in hypoxia-injured PC-12 cells. Following experiments showed miR-153 inhibition reversed the effects of propofol on hypoxia-treated PC-12 cells. Afterwards, we found BTG3 expression was negatively regulated by miR-153 expression, and BTG3 overexpression inhibited the mTOR pathway and AMPK activation. Besides, hypoxia inhibited the mTOR pathway and AMPK, and these inhibitory effects could be attenuated by propofol. CONCLUSION: Propofol protected hypoxia-injured PC-12 cells through miR-153-mediataed down-regulation of BTG3. BTG3 could inhibit the mTOR pathway and AMPK activation.

Efficient replication of blood-borne hepatitis C virus in human fetal liver stem cells.

The development of pathogenic mechanisms, specific antiviral treatments and preventive vaccines for hepatitis C virus (HCV) infection has been limited due to lack of cell culture models that can naturally imitate the entire HCV life cycle. Here, we established an HCV cell culture model based on human fetal liver stem cells (hFLSCs) that supports the entire blood-borne hepatitis C virus (bbHCV) life cycle. More than 90% of cells remained infected by various genotypes. bbHCV was efficiently propagated, and progeny virus were infectious to hFLSCs. The virus could be passed efficiently between cells. The viral infectivity was partially blocked by specific antibodies or small interfering RNA against HCV entry factors, whereas HCV replication was inhibited by antiviral drugs. We observed viral particles of approximately 55 nm in diameter in both cell culture media and infected cells after bbHCV infection. CONCLUSION: Our data show that the entire bbHCV life cycle could be naturally imitated in hFLSCs. This model is expected to provide a powerful tool for exploring the process and the mechanism of bbHCV infection at the cellular level and for evaluating the treatment and preventive strategies of bbHCV infection. (Hepatology 2017;66:1045-1057).

mTOR/autophagy pathway in the hippocampus of rats suffering intermittent hypoxia preconditioning and global cerebral ischemia-reperfusion.

We explored the role of mTOR/autophagy pathway in the aggravation of cerebral ischemia-reperfusion nerve injury caused by intermittent hypoxia. Eighty male wistar rats were divided into four groups by the random number method: sham operation group (SO group, n=20), cerebral ischemia-reperfusion group (I/R group, n=20), intermittent hypoxia and cerebral ischemia-reperfusion group (IH+I/R group, n=20), intermittent hypoxia and cerebral ischemia-reperfusion group plus mTOR inhibitor group (inhibitor group, n=20).The results showed that compared with the SO group, HE staining showed structural damage of neurons at each time point, the immunohistochemical assay showed an increasing number of mTOR and beclin1 immune-positive cells (P<0.05) and RT-PCR showed enhanced expression of mTOR and beclin1 protein in the I/R group (P<0.05). Compared with the I/R group, HE staining showed exacerbating structural damage of neurons at each time point, the immunohistochemical assay showed an increasing number of mTOR and beclin1 immune-positive cells (P<0.05) and RT-PCR showed enhanced expression of mTOR and beclin1 protein in the IH+I/R group (P<0.05). Compared with the IH+I/R group, HE staining showed remissive structural damage of neurons at each time point, the immunohistochemical assay showed a decreasing number of mTOR immune-positive cells and a rising number of beclin1immune-positive cells (P<0.05) and RT-PCR showed weakened expression of mTOR protein and enhanced expression of beclin1 protein in the inhibitor group (P<0.05). Thence, the present study indicated that intermittent hypoxia preconditioning can aggravate the nerve injury of the global cerebral ischemia-reperfusion model, and the mechanism is associated with the activation of mTOR/autophagy pathway.

[Activation of autophagy pathway in hippocampus and deterioration of learning and memory ability by intermittent hypoxia in rats after cerebral ischemia].

Objective To investigate the effects of different duration of intermittent hypoxia on the autophagy pathway in the hippocampus and the learning and memory ability after cerebral ischemia in rats. Methods 100 male Wistar rats were randomly divided into sham operation (SO) group, ischemia/reperfusion (I/R) group, intermittent hypoxia for 7 days combined with ischemia/reperfusion (IH7-I/R) group, intermittent hypoxia for 14 days combined with ischemia/reperfusion (IH14-I/R) group, intermittent hypoxia for 21 days combined with ischemia/reperfusion (IH21-I/R) group, n =20 in each group. The rats in IH7-I/R group, IH14-I/R group and IH21-I/R group were respectively subjected to intermittent hypoxia for 7, 14 and 21 days prior to I/R modeling by improved Pulsinelli four-vessel occlusion (4-VO). The morphological changes of nerve cells in the hippocampus of rat brain were detected by HE staining; the levels of mammalian target of rapamycin (mTOR) and beclin 1 mRNA in the hippocampus were determined by quantitative real-time PCR; the distribution of mTOR and beclin 1 in the hippocampus was observed by immunohistochemistry; the learning and memory ability of rats was assessed by the Morris water maze test. Results Compared with the SO group, the never cell morphology was damaged, the number of survival neurons in the hippocampus was reduced, the expressions of mTOR and beclin 1 in the hippocampus were strengthened, and the learning and memory ability declined in the I/R group. Compared with the I/R group, the never cell morphology was damaged seriously, the number of survival neurons in the hippocampus decreased, the expressions of mTOR and beclin 1 in the hippocampus increased, and the learning and memory ability dropped in the intermittent hypoxia groups. What's more, the above changes were dependent on the duration of intermittent hypoxia. Conclusion Intermittent hypoxia aggravates the dysfunction of learning and memory after cerebral ischemia and the damages increase with time passing, which are related to mTOR-beclin 1 activation and increasing neuronal cell death.

The HIF-2α-MALAT1-miR-216b axis regulates multi-drug resistance of hepatocellular carcinoma cells via modulating autophagy.

In this study, we firstly investigated the association among lncRNA MALAT1, HIF-1α and HIF-2α in hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) cells. Then, we investigated the regulative effect of MALAT1 on multi-drug resistance (MDR) in HCC cells and the underlying mechanism. The results showed that MALAT1 was over two times higher in BEL-7402/5-FU cells than in BEL-7402 cells. It was HIF-2α, but not HIF-1α induced MALAT1 upregulation in HCC cells. Dual luciferase assay demonstrated that there were at least two binding sites of miR-26b in MALAT1. Therefore, we infer that there is a HIF-2α-MALAT1-miR-216b axis in HCC cells. Cell viability assay showed that both MALAT1 siRNA and miR-216b mimics reduced IC50 of 5-FU, ADR and MMC in BEL-7402/5-FU cells. MALAT1 siRNA and miR-216b mimics showed similar effect as 3-MA on reducing LC3-II levels, inhibiting p62 degradation and suppressing GFP-LC3 puncta formation in BEL-7402/5-FU cells. Flow cytometric analysis showed that 3-MA treatment, MALAT1 siRNA and miR-216b mimics all promoted 5-FU induced apoptosis in BEL-7402/5-FU cells. Therefore, this study firstly revealed that there is a HIF-2α-MALAT1-miR-216b axis regulating MDR of HCC cells via modulating autophagy.

A Convenient and Efficient Method to Enrich and Maintain Highly Proliferative Human Fetal Liver Stem Cells.

Pluripotent human hepatic stem cells have broad research and clinical applications, which are, however, restricted by both limited resources and technical difficulties with respect to isolation of stem cells from the adult or fetal liver. In this study, we developed a convenient and efficient method involving a two-step in situ collagenase perfusion, gravity sedimentation, and Percoll density gradient centrifugation to enrich and maintain highly proliferative human fetal liver stem cells (hFLSCs). Using this method, the isolated hFLSCs entered into the exponential growth phase within 10 days and maintained sufficient proliferative activity to permit subculture for at least 20 passages without differentiation. Immunocytochemistry, immunofluorescence, and flow cytometry results showed that these cells expressed stem cell markers, such as c-kit, CD44, epithelial cell adhesion molecule (EpCAM), oval cell marker-6 (OV-6), epithelial marker cytokeratin 18 (CK18), biliary ductal marker CK19, and alpha-fetoprotein (AFP). Gene expression analysis showed that these cells had stable mRNA expression of c-Kit, EpCAM, neural cell adhesion molecule (NCAM), CK19, CK18, AFP, and claudin 3 (CLDN-3) throughout each passage while maintaining low levels of ALB, but with complete absence of cytochrome P450 3A4 (C3A4), phosphoenolpyruvate carboxykinase (PEPCK), telomeric repeat binding factor (TRF), and connexin 26 (CX26) expression. When grown in appropriate medium, these isolated liver stem cells could differentiate into hepatocytes, cholangiocytes, osteoblasts, adipocytes, or endothelial cells. Thus, we have demonstrated a more economical and efficient method to isolate hFLSCs than magnetic-activated cell sorting (MACS). This novel approach may provide an excellent tool to isolate highly proliferative hFLSCs for tissue engineering and regenerative therapies.

A role for suppressed bone formation favoring catch-up fat in the pathophysiology of catch-up growth after food restriction.

PURPOSE: Catch-up growth is always companied with later development of obesity and osteoporosis that are two interrelated clinical entities. However, the potential mechanism of the link between them during catch-up growth is unknown. METHODS: Rats were divided into two groups. Rats of the normal control (NC) group were offered ad libitum access to food, while rats of CUGFR group were food restricted for 4 weeks, and then were allowed full access to food for 0, 2, 4 weeks, respectively. The fat percentage and distribution, bone mineral density, biochemical and histological indexes of bone were detected. Moreover, the expression of adipogenic or osteoblastic differentiation-related genes of mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs) was also determined. RESULTS: Catch-up growth led to a rapid visceral fat accumulation. Although there was no difference in the histological indexes of bone between NC group and CUGFR group, the bone turnover marker, serum Bone Gla-protein (s-BGP), decreased in CUGFR group. The adipogenic differentiation-related gene of MSCs, PPAR-gamma, was significantly higher than that of NC group especially when catch-up growth for 4 weeks. Nevertheless, the osteoblastic differentiation-related gene of MSCs, Runx2, was increased but failed to reach the levels of the controls eventually. Both protein and mRNA of TAZ, a main transcriptional modulator of MSCs differentiation, failed to catch up even after being allowed full access to food for 4 weeks. CONCLUSION: CUGFR induces the differential differentiation of MSCs, potentially suppressing bone formation and favoring catch-up fat, which might be responsible for the increased risk of osteoporosis and obesity during CUGFR.

[Effects of Chinese kidney-tonifying drugs on bone mineral density (BMD), biomechanics, 25-hydroxy vitamin D3 and 1,25-dihydroxy vitamin D3 of ovariectomized osteoporosis rats].

OBJECTIVE: To investigate the effects of Chinese kidney-tonifying drugs on bone mineral density, biomechanics, 25-hydroxy Vitamin D3 and 1,25-dihydroxy Vitamin D3 of ovariectomized osteoporosis rats, and explore the mechanism of treating osteoporosis with the drugs. METHODS: Thirty-six female SD rats (four months) were randomly divided into model group, sham group and treatment group. All the rats had been ovariectomied except those in sham group. Selecting 4, 8, 12 weeks in the experiment, the value of bone mineral density (BMD) was measure by dual energy X-ray absorptiometry (DEXA) of femoral head, while the biomechanics machine was applied to analysis femoral head biomechanics index and ELISA method was used to detect the content of 25-hydroxy Vitamin D3 and 1,25-dihydroxy Vitamin D3 discern in blood-serum, liver and kidney. RESULTS: Treatment group rats' BMD of femoral head was enhance compared with model group, significant differences were absent (P<0.05), and the maximal load and maximal stress measurement were improved, significant differences were absent (P<0.05). As the content of 25-hydroxy Vitamin D3 and 1,25-dihydroxy Vitamin D3 discern in blood-serum, liver and kidney were elevate, furthmore there were significant differences in group comparison, all significant differences were absent (P<0.05). But those compared with sham group, there was no significant difference (P>0.05). CONCLUSION: In the early period in absence of estrogenic hormone, the Chinese kidney-tonifying drugs could activate bone metabolism to raise BMD and reinforce quality of bone through up-regulating expression of 25-hydroxy Vitamin D3 and 1,25-dihydroxy Vitamin D3 at protein level.